Pakistan could produce, shoot down drones: Minister

Islamabad, Aug 12 (IANS) A Pakistani federal minister in charge of defence production claimed Monday that not only could Pakistan produce drones, it also had the capability to shoot down the unmanned aerial vehicles. He further asserted that Pakistan did not want a war with India.

The claim was made by Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain while speaking at the local Chamber of Commerce where he also said that the number of US drone strikes had decreased in Pakistan after strong condemnation.

The attacks, the minister said, were not the sole cause of terrorism as there were some more reasons to the phenomenon.

On India, Hussain said Pakistan did not want war with India as both the countries were holding talks at every level.

While denying any presence of Taliban's base camp in Punjab province, Hussain reiterated the Pakistan government's resolve to complete the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, adding that the duration of load shedding would be decreased.